Comedy | The Guardianhttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/comedy
Latest news and features from theguardian.com, the world's leading liberal voiceen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2015Sun, 02 Aug 2015 23:07:26 GMT2015-08-02T23:07:26Zen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2015The Guardianhttp://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.pnghttp://www.theguardian.com
Meet comedian Amy Schumer, the sneaky feminist honesty bombhttp://www.theguardian.com/stage/2015/aug/02/amy-schumer-interview-trainwreck-judd-apatow
<p>She’s been showered with awards, has millions of views on YouTube and ‘blew away’ Trainwreck director Judd Apatow. Is Amy Schumer the funniest woman on the planet?</p><p>There are two bottles of mineral water in Amy Schumer’s hotel suite and no glasses. She takes sparkling, I have the still, and I offer to find something to drink out of. “Naaah, let’s drink it out of the bottle,” Schumer, the 34-year-old American comedian and actor, suggests. She slumps on the sofa, tucks her feet underneath her and takes a thirsty swig. She’s just come from doing photographs and is wearing an expensive-looking peach cocktail dress; her hair and nails are done. The effect is incongruous: she looks like a girl whose prom date has stood her up.</p><p>Nice dress, I say – mainly because that kind of clothing and conspicuous effort demand acknowledgement. It turns out to be not Schumer’s choice and certainly not her taste. “Does this look hilarious, this orange thing?” she asks. “I feel like the exact opposite of this outfit and nail polish. I feel no connection to how I look visually right now.”</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/jun/28/amy-schumer-comedys-viral-queen">Amy Schumer: comedy's viral queen</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2015/aug/02/amy-schumer-interview-trainwreck-judd-apatow">Continue reading...</a>TrainwreckComedyAmy SchumerTina FeyTelevisionTelevision & radioComedyComedyComedy CentralTelevision industryComedyFilmCultureStageMediaUS television industrySun, 02 Aug 2015 09:30:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/stage/2015/aug/02/amy-schumer-interview-trainwreck-judd-apatowPhotograph: Ilya S SavenokComedians Tina Fey and Amy Schumer kiss on stage at The 74th Peabody awards ceremony.Photograph: Ilya S SavenokComedians Tina Fey and Amy Schumer kiss on stage at The 74th Peabody awards ceremony.Photograph: Pal Hansen/ObserverAmy Schumer photographed at the Soho hotel in London. Photograph: Pal Hansen for the ObserverPhotograph: Pal Hansen/ObserverAmy Schumer photographed at the Soho hotel in London. Photograph: Pal Hansen for the ObserverTim Lewis2015-08-02T09:30:00ZThe week in TV: Life in Squares, Partners in Crime; Parks and Recreation; Taskmaster; Atlantichttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/aug/02/week-in-tv-life-squares-partners-crime-parks-recreation
<p>Death in Venice meets Game of Thrones in BBC2’s fine new drama about Virginia Woolf and friends</p><p><strong>Life in Squares</strong> (BBC2) | <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0649cyj">iPlayer</a></p><p><strong>Partners in Crime</strong> (BBC1) | <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p02vf6z5/partners-in-crime-1-the-secret-adversary-part-one">iPlayer</a></p><p>We’re growing used, I hope, to much galumphing Monday-night sex in filthy alleys and pale-skinned bedsits</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/jul/25/bloomsbury-group-vanessa-bell-life-in-squares">TV drama set to spark a tourist rush on the trail of the Bloomsbury Group</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/aug/02/week-in-tv-life-squares-partners-crime-parks-recreation">Continue reading...</a>Television & radioDocumentaryFactual TVHistorical dramaDramaComedyComedyPeriod dramaBooksVirginia WoolfTelevisionParks and RecreationCultureDavid WalliamsSun, 02 Aug 2015 06:00:09 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/aug/02/week-in-tv-life-squares-partners-crime-parks-recreationPhotograph: David Mothershaw/BBCDevil rays in Atlantic: ‘beautifully paced’.Photograph: David Mothershaw/BBCDevil rays in Atlantic: ‘beautifully paced’.Photograph: Ecosse Films/Ollie Upton/PRLydia Leonard (Virginia Woolf), James Norton (Duncan Grant) and Phoebe Fox (Vanessa Bell) in BBC2’s ‘mesmerising’ Life in Squares. Photograph: Ecosse Films/Ollie UptonPhotograph: Ecosse Films/Ollie Upton/PRLydia Leonard (Virginia Woolf), James Norton (Duncan Grant) and Phoebe Fox (Vanessa Bell) in BBC2’s ‘mesmerising’ Life in Squares. Photograph: Ecosse Films/Ollie UptonEuan Ferguson2015-08-02T06:00:09ZWet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp review – the gang's back together and weird is still the wordhttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/jul/31/wet-hot-american-summer-first-day-of-camp-netflix
<p>The Netflix series provides an origin story like no other for the cult movie, with enough ridiculous plotlines and cameos to make happy campers out of the most diehard fans (even if the format is skewed)</p><p>There is one thing that Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp, the new prequel series to the cult classic movie that Netflix started streaming on Friday, has that its predecessor never did: anticipation. When WHAS arrived in theaters in 2001 the only really recognizable cast members were David Hyde Pierce – who was starring in Frasier at the time – and the alumni from MTV’s too-short-lived sketch comedy program The State. No one cared that it was coming and it was a huge dud, at least at the box office.</p><p>In the 14 years since, several of the actors – Paul Rudd, Bradley Cooper, Elizabeth Banks and Amy Poehler chief among them – have become huge stars and the movie has only grown in reputation with repeat viewing on DVD and, of course, streaming on Netflix. (It also seems to be no coincidence that the estimation of the movie has risen in tandem with the legalization of recreational marijuana use across the country.) It’s a shock that co-creators David Wain and Michael Showalter convinced every last one of them to return for a victory lap.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/jul/28/wet-hot-american-summer">Wet Hot American Summer: the obscure cult favourite is about to get a TV reboot</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/jul/31/wet-hot-american-summer-first-day-of-camp-netflix">Continue reading...</a>US televisionNetflixTelevisionCultureTelevision & radioArrested DevelopmentComedyFri, 31 Jul 2015 13:12:21 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/jul/31/wet-hot-american-summer-first-day-of-camp-netflixPhotograph: NetflixWet Hot American Summer: First Day Of Camp.Brian Moylan2015-07-31T13:12:21ZTaskmaster: ‘Nato should be informed of its molten-hot banter’http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/jul/28/dave-game-show-taskmaster
<p>What the world needs is another comedy panel show, right? But wait... Dave’s Taskmaster has added convoluted parlour games to the mix!</p><p>I don’t know what makes a person turn to a career in comedy – perhaps those promising Hollyoaks auditions came to nothing, or they have a natural proficiency for lax personal hygiene – but I know that the ultimate aim is to appear on a panel show. In turn, the panel show exists to support these same lost souls, like a Royal Hospital Chelsea for people who disappoint their mums.</p><p>New Dave project <strong>Taskmaster </strong>started out at the Edinburgh festival fringe. Created by Alex Horne, it featured various comedians having to perform spurious tasks. Somehow, thanks to the lurid gymnastics of production company presenter allocation, Horne has been reduced to an administrative role on TV, holding stopwatches and noting scores onto clipboards for the Demon Head Taskmaster Greg Davies. Davies and Horne are joined each week by five comedians – Roisin Conaty, Tim Key, Romesh Ranganathan, Frank Skinner and Josh Widdicombe – to carry out various challenges and give the panel show that edgy parlour-game twist it’s been waiting for (FYI: in 2015, New World Order drones control your life and several of us could be licked down by Isis at any moment. Also, smashing a melon in a hazchem suit and seeing how much of it you can scoop from the floor to your mouth is now a parlour game).</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/jul/28/dave-game-show-taskmaster">Continue reading...</a>TelevisionTelevision & radioCultureComedyMon, 27 Jul 2015 23:00:08 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/jul/28/dave-game-show-taskmasterPhotograph: PRTwisting their melons: fruit-based fun in Dave show Taskmaster.Photograph: PRTwisting their melons: fruit-based fun in Dave show Taskmaster.Filipa Jodelka2015-07-27T23:00:08ZThe enduring social shorthand of Harry Enfield charactershttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/shortcuts/2015/jul/27/enduring-social-shorthand-harry-enfield-characters
When the LSE published a report about rich, useless children being protected by cash and connections, newspapers illustrated the story with Tim Nice But Dim. Why, 25 years on, are Loadsamoney and Waynetta Slob still go-to references?<p>The <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/447575/Downward_mobility_opportunity_hoarding_and_the_glass_floor.pdf" title="">report from the London School of Economics</a> called it “opportunity hoarding”: the way that well-off parents create a “<a href="http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/uk_news/Society/article1585845.ece" title="">glass floor</a>” to protect their untalented offspring and, in the process, stop&nbsp;the poor from rising up. They were good phrases, but Britain already had a name for it.&nbsp;What the report really described, <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3174961/The-Triumph-Tim-Nice-Dim-Report-says-posh-stupid-children-end-earning-poor-gifted.html" title="">as the Mail put it</a>, was&nbsp;“the triumph of Tim Nice But&nbsp;Dim”.</p><p>There’s perhaps a slender chance that you won’t know who&nbsp;the Mail – along with the <a href="http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/594068/Posh-stupid-children-better-poor-gifted" title="">Express</a>, the <a href="http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/uk_news/Society/article1585845.ece" title="">Sunday Times</a>, the <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationopinion/11764687/In-defence-of-the-Tim-Nice-But-Dims.html" title="">Telegraph</a> and, naturally, the <a href="http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/uk_news/Society/article1585845.ece" title="">Guardian</a> – were talking about. Tim Nice But Dim was a&nbsp;character originally created by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman, but brought to life by Harry Enfield in a&nbsp;series of&nbsp;sketch shows in the 1990s. Tim&nbsp;put a self-explanatory name&nbsp;and a confused face to something that everyone already knew existed: the thick posh boy (or girl) whose wealth and connections kept&nbsp;him happily ignorant of all the striving in the&nbsp;world.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/26/glass-floor-tim-nice-but-dim-state-school-children">How to beat Tim Nice-But-Dim – and smash his glass floor | Natalie Haynes</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/shortcuts/2015/jul/27/enduring-social-shorthand-harry-enfield-characters">Continue reading...</a>Harry EnfieldComedyCultureTelevisionComedyKathy BurkeTelevisionTechnologyMon, 27 Jul 2015 17:01:11 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/shortcuts/2015/jul/27/enduring-social-shorthand-harry-enfield-charactersPhotograph: PAOn the money … Harry Enfield as Tim Nice But Dim.Photograph: PAOn the money … Harry Enfield as Tim Nice But Dim.Leo Benedictus2015-07-27T17:01:11ZParks and Recreation: another acclaimed US show without the UK audience it deserveshttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2015/jul/27/parks-and-recreation-another-acclaimed-us-show-without-the-uk-audience-it-deserves
<p>It took a long time to come here and its fourth season is going out on Dave. But Parks and Recreation’s struggles put it in good company with Seinfeld, Breaking Bad and others</p><p>There’s good news for UK fans of the hardest-working local government department in Indiana, as the fourth season of <a draggable="true" href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/parks-and-recreation">Parks and Recreation</a> is finally set to surface on Dave. </p><p>The series took an age to reach British shores, with BBC4 picking up the first seasons at the same time as the penultimate season was airing in the US. But despite a top-drawer cast, with <a draggable="true" href="http://www.theguardian.com/culture/amy-poehler">Amy Poehler</a>, <a draggable="true" href="http://www.theguardian.com/culture/nick-offerman">Nick Offerman</a>, <a draggable="true" href="http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/jun/08/aziz-ansari-modern-dating-extract-guide">Aziz Ansari</a> and <a draggable="true" href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jun/19/jurassic-worlds-chris-pratt-equality-means-objectifying-men-too">Jurassic World</a> star <a draggable="true" href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/chris-pratt">Chris Pratt</a> playing some of the most enjoyable characters in modern sitcom history in a pitch-perfect caricature of small midwestern city life, the show hasn’t really managed to grab the British audience it deserves. </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/mar/23/family-guy-leaves-bbc3-for-itv">Family Guy leaves BBC3 for ITV</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2015/jul/27/parks-and-recreation-another-acclaimed-us-show-without-the-uk-audience-it-deserves">Continue reading...</a>Parks and RecreationComedyUS televisionSeinfeldBreaking BadFamily GuyDavid LettermanAnimationTelevisionTelevision & radioMon, 27 Jul 2015 07:00:08 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2015/jul/27/parks-and-recreation-another-acclaimed-us-show-without-the-uk-audience-it-deservesPhotograph: NBC/David Giesbrecht/NBCMeet the Veep… Chris Pratt as Andy, Aubrey Plaza as April Ludgate, Vice President Joe Biden, Adam Scott as Ben Wyatt, Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope in Parks and Recreation.Photograph: NBC/David Giesbrecht/NBCMeet the Veep… Chris Pratt as Andy, Aubrey Plaza as April Ludgate, Vice President Joe Biden, Adam Scott as Ben Wyatt, Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope in Parks and Recreation.Mark Jones2015-07-27T07:00:08ZIt's time to play the music: 10 Muppet minutes that sold the new showhttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2015/jul/22/its-time-to-play-the-music-10-muppet-minutes-that-sold-the-new-show
<p>As a taste of what’s to come this autumn, we can look forward to a behind-the-scenes mockumentary, familiar furry faces and slightly more adult humour </p><p>Footage of the new Muppet show has been released by ABC. First shown at Comic-Con, the 10-minute presentation was shot by series creators Bill Prady, Bob Kushell and Randall Einhorn instead of a full pilot. Prady produced long-running sitcom <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/the-big-bang-theory">The Big Bang Theory</a>, Kushell has written for <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/the-simpsons">The Simpsons</a> and Anger Management and director Einhorn worked on <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2009/may/08/us-tv-the-office">The Office</a> and <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/jun/16/its-always-sunny-philadelphia-world-cup-antidote">It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia</a>. </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/may/08/the-muppets-return-to-tv-documentary-abc">Still not easy being green? The Muppets return to TV for mockumentary series</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2015/jul/22/its-time-to-play-the-music-10-muppet-minutes-that-sold-the-new-show">Continue reading...</a>The MuppetsComedyTelevisionCultureTelevision & radioComedyWed, 22 Jul 2015 14:21:32 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2015/jul/22/its-time-to-play-the-music-10-muppet-minutes-that-sold-the-new-showPhotograph: ABC/ABCMiss Piggy on set with Topher Grace.Photograph: ABC/ABCMiss Piggy on set with Topher Grace.Photograph: ABC/ABCElizabeth Banks with Electric Mayhem’s Janice and Kermit.Photograph: ABC/ABCElizabeth Banks with Electric Mayhem’s Janice and Kermit.Photograph: ABC/ABCFozzie and Kermit.Photograph: ABC/ABCFozzie and Kermit.Richard Vine2015-07-22T14:21:32ZFrom Alien to ITV: Sigourney Weaver set for guest role on Doc Martinhttp://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jul/21/from-alien-to-itv-sigourney-weaver-set-for-guest-role-on-doc-martin
<p>American actor spotted on set of cosy Cornish-set comedy-drama starring Martin Clunes as an awkward country GP</p><p>She is best known as Ellen Ripley, the heroic, xenomorph-battling warrant officer of the doomed Nostromo spacecraft in 1979’s Alien, or perhaps as chain-smoking scientist Grace Augustine in 2009 box office megalith Avatar. But Sigourney Weaver has reportedly taken on a rather gentler role after the cult American actor was <a href="http://haignet.co.uk/doc-martin-series-7-filming.htm">spotted moonlighting on the set of cosy ITV drama Doc Martin</a>.</p><p>Weaver, who also attended the London Film and Comic-Con event on 20 July, was captured by an amateur videographer during filming in the picturesque Cornish fishing village of Port Isaac last week. Sporting a floppy fisherman’s hat, camera and backpack, the actor looked the very picture of an American tourist exploring the English countryside, though details of her character have not been revealed. She appeared to be filming a scene outside a local pharmacy with Martin Clunes, who stars as the title character in the long-running series.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/feb/19/alien-neill-blomkamp-officially-greenlit-instagram-film">Alien is go: Neill Blomkamp confirms stalled project is officially greenlit</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jul/21/from-alien-to-itv-sigourney-weaver-set-for-guest-role-on-doc-martin">Continue reading...</a>Sigourney WeaverFilmCultureTelevisionTelevision & radioAlienAlien vs Predator (2004)PrometheusComedyComedyUK newsITV channelITV plcMediaTelevision industryMartin ClunesComic-ConComics and graphic novelsBooksFestivalsRidley ScottNeill BlomkampTue, 21 Jul 2015 15:11:49 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jul/21/from-alien-to-itv-sigourney-weaver-set-for-guest-role-on-doc-martinPhotograph: 76/Baker-Bridger / FameFlynet.uk.comAlien environment ... Sigourney Weaver on set for the seventh series of ITV’s Doc Martin.Photograph: 76/Baker-Bridger / FameFlynet.uk.comAlien environment ... Sigourney Weaver on set for the seventh series of ITV’s Doc Martin.Ben Child2015-07-21T15:11:49ZComedy Feeds: People Time – the sketch show rises from the deadhttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2015/jul/21/comedy-feeds-people-time-the-sketch-show-rises-from-the-dead
<p>Seven writer-performers brought together to make a comedy supergroup have made the best ensemble show since Absolutely. Will BBC3’s iPlayer exclusive find the audience it deserves? <br><br></p><p>When a link to a “new BBC3 comedy pilot” pops up on social media, you may not be the type of person to click, assuming as you might that it will lead to insufferably youthful types, talking about a popular culture you no longer understand. (Or that could just be me.)<br /></p><p>But I did click on a BBC3 link last week that punctured my post-lunch fug like a crossbow bolt through porridge. <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p02rndpc/comedy-feeds-2015-5-people-time">People Time</a> is just over 20 minutes long and features seven writer-performers from various different comedy acts, brought together super-group style (like Monty Python) to make a new sketch show. And it’s brilliant. <br /></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This sketch show is the best comedy thing I’ve seen in a long while. Good things happening here: PEOPLE TIME <a href="http://t.co/kcaodeSMoz">http://t.co/kcaodeSMoz</a></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2015/jul/21/comedy-feeds-people-time-the-sketch-show-rises-from-the-dead">Continue reading...</a>ComedyTelevisionCultureComedyTue, 21 Jul 2015 11:16:49 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2015/jul/21/comedy-feeds-people-time-the-sketch-show-rises-from-the-deadPhotograph: BBCAlastair Roberts in Comedy Feeds: People Time.Photograph: BBCAlastair Roberts in Comedy Feeds: People Time.Photograph: BBCComedy Feeds: People Time - Sexy American Girls Natasia Demetriou and Ellie White.Photograph: BBCComedy Feeds: People Time - Sexy American Girls Natasia Demetriou and Ellie White.Julia Raeside2015-07-21T11:16:49ZJavone Prince: ‘It’s lovely to make people belly laugh’http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/jul/19/the-javone-prince-show
<p>The PhoneShop star hopes to shake up primetime with a new BBC 2 sketch show about young black Britain</p><p>When we were writing this show, we were sitting around talking about experiences we had as young black men growing up,” Javone Prince tells the audience in one of the studio segments of his new BBC2 sketch show. “And believe me when I tell you: everyone in the room had the next thing happen to them.” The sketch that follows sees a preternaturally cringeworthy white man and woman approach a pair of black friends at a house party to ask them – on the basis of nothing at all, apart from the colour of their skin – if they can supply them with drugs. “Hands up if that’s ever happened to you,” says Javone afterwards, back in the studio. “Almost all the men in the room,” he observes.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2013/aug/15/watching-phoneshop-e4-comedy-tv">Have you been watching … PhoneShop?</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2013/jan/06/jocelyn-jee-esien-stand-up">Jocelyn Jee Esien: 'Whenever I see standup now, I get excited'</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/jul/19/the-javone-prince-show">Continue reading...</a>ComedyTelevisionTelevision & radioCultureSun, 19 Jul 2015 17:00:11 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/jul/19/the-javone-prince-showPhotograph: PRUpwardly mobile: Prince with the cast of PhoneShop.Photograph: PRUpwardly mobile: Prince with the cast of PhoneShop.Photograph: Guy LevyBrotherly laugh: the comedian in a scene from The Javone Prince Show.Photograph: Guy LevyBrotherly laugh: the comedian in a scene from The Javone Prince Show.Photograph: Guy LevyHis name is Prince and he is funny: Javone on the set of his comedy show.Photograph: Guy LevyHis name is Prince and he is funny: Javone on the set of his comedy show.Rachel Aroesti2015-07-19T17:00:11ZCatterick box set review: ‘The most bonkers thing Reeves and Mortimer have ever done’http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/jul/16/catterick-vic-reeves-bob-mortimer-bonkers
Vic and Bob’s surreal six-part ‘road movie’ balances the breathlessly funny with the sometimes tragic in a madcap comedy<p>This is the most bonkers, brilliant and gripping thing Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer have ever done. Just let that sink in: thanks to these two men, we have seen <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEcyJPxMBUE&amp;feature=youtu.be&amp;t=1m17s">Mad Frankie Fraser threatened by a giant baby</a>, Will Self singing Virtual Insanity, and Ulrika Jonsson cleaning fake dandruff off a car windscreen with her backside. Yet Catterick outshines all that.</p><p>A six-part comedy thriller made for BBC3 in 2004, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNBKv8OpDxQ">Catterick</a> follows helium-voiced squaddie Carl Palmer, played by Mortimer, returning to his titular hometown for the first time in 20 years. Reeves is his brother Chris, who is waiting for him in a bomber jacket and a bird’s nest beard. Chris, we discover, thinks the reason people tie balloons to their gates is because they are trying to raise their gatepost.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/stage/live/2015/jun/12/vic-reeves-and-bob-mortimer-webchat-post-your-questions-now">Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer webchat – as it happened</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/jul/16/catterick-vic-reeves-bob-mortimer-bonkers">Continue reading...</a>Vic ReevesComedyComedyTelevisionTelevision & radioCultureThu, 16 Jul 2015 15:00:06 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/jul/16/catterick-vic-reeves-bob-mortimer-bonkersPhotograph: BBC/JOHN ROGERS/Pett ProductionsOn the road … Bob Mortimer as Carl and Vic Reeves as his brother Chris in Catterick. Photograph: John Rogers/BBCPhotograph: BBC/JOHN ROGERS/Pett ProductionsOn the road … Bob Mortimer as Carl and Vic Reeves as his brother Chris in Catterick. Photograph: John Rogers/BBCGeorge Bass2015-07-16T15:00:06ZPeople Just Do Nothing: how to make it in the cutthroat world of pirate radiohttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/jul/15/people-just-do-nothing-mc-grindah
<p>Everyone wants to be a garage MC but few have the skills of the legendary Kurupt FM crew. Here, they share the secrets of their ‘inspiration’</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/jul/18/people-just-do-nothing-dj-beats-mc-grindah-top-10-pirate-radio-anthems">People Just Do Nothing: DJ Beats and MC Grindah's top 10 pirate radio anthems</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/jul/15/people-just-do-nothing-mc-grindah">Continue reading...</a>ComedyTelevisionTelevision & radioCultureComedyWed, 15 Jul 2015 08:00:03 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/jul/15/people-just-do-nothing-mc-grindahPhotograph: Jack BarnesInaction station: the Kurupt FM crew, (l-r) Decoy, Steves, Grindah and Beats.Photograph: Jack BarnesInaction station: the Kurupt FM crew, (l-r) Decoy, Steves, Grindah and Beats.MC Grindah2015-07-15T08:00:03ZTalking to Strangers: Sally Phillips and Lily Bevan go beyond the one-linerhttp://www.theguardian.com/stage/2015/jul/15/talking-to-strangers-sally-phillips-lily-bevan-interview
<p>Tired of being asked to play Latvian prostitutes, Sally Phillips and Lily Bevan have come up with their own characters. They tell Harriet Gibsone about their new series of mini-plays</p><p>These days, Sally Phillips gets sent a lot of cougars. “A lot of what?” asks Lily Bevan. “<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2015/may/26/cougar-the-musical-belgrade-coventry-review">Cougars</a>,” she replies. “It used to be that you had to shag the lead guy. But now you’ve got to shag the lead guy <em>and</em> be ridiculous!”</p><p>Whether it’s London or LA, blockbuster movie or the National Theatre, such is the paucity of roles for female actors over the age of 40, that scripts often veer towards the sexually dominant woman who preys on younger men, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jan/08/meryl-streep-defends-russell-crowe-over-women-act-your-age-comments">or, in Meryl Streep’s experience,</a> craggy old witch<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jan/08/meryl-streep-defends-russell-crowe-over-women-act-your-age-comments">es</a>. Taking matters into their own hands, Phillips and Bevan have written themselves some better roles, in a collection of mini-plays called Talking to Strangers.</p><p>Men are more black-and-white. They are very happy stating an opinion</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2015/jul/15/talking-to-strangers-sally-phillips-lily-bevan-interview">Continue reading...</a>ComedyComedyStageComedyCultureTelevisionRadio comedyRadioTelevision & radioWed, 15 Jul 2015 07:00:02 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/stage/2015/jul/15/talking-to-strangers-sally-phillips-lily-bevan-interviewPhotograph: David Levene for the GuardianSally Phillips (left) and Lily Bevan.Photograph: David Levene for the GuardianSally Phillips (left) and Lily Bevan.Harriet Gibsone2015-07-15T07:00:02ZWednesday’s best TVhttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/jul/15/wednesday-best-tv-peter-alliss-veep-isis-autism
<p>A celebration of TV’s voice of golf, hitching a ride with centenarian drivers, learning the uncomfortable truth about slave-owner compensation, escaping Islamic State, and understanding autism’s effects on girls</p><p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2011/jul/17/peter-alliss-martin-kelner">TV’s voice of golf</a> may have been part of the BBC’s coverage since 1961, but lately he has been heard less frequently, thanks to the Beeb’s habit of losing tournament rights to Sky. Here to help redress this imbalance is an hour-long celebration of the life and career of the Colemanballs regular, including highlights from his CV such as Pro-Celebrity Golf, Around with Alliss and A Golfer’s Travels. Contributors include Gary Player, Terry Wogan and Jimmy Tarbuck. <em>Mark Jones</em></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/jul/15/wednesday-best-tv-peter-alliss-veep-isis-autism">Continue reading...</a>TelevisionTelevision & radioCultureVeepComedyAmourGolfWed, 15 Jul 2015 05:00:07 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/jul/15/wednesday-best-tv-peter-alliss-veep-isis-autismPhotograph: Channel 4Channel 4’s Escape from Isis uncovers the secret underground network trying to save people captured by Islamic State.Photograph: Channel 4Channel 4’s Escape from Isis uncovers the secret underground network trying to save people captured by Islamic State.Mark Jones, Ali Catterall, David Stubbs, Andrew Mueller, John Robinson, Hannah J Davies, Gwilym Mumford and Paul Howlett2015-07-15T05:00:07ZBBC1 comedy output falls by 25%http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jul/14/bbc1-comedy-annual-report-music-arts-drama
<p>Corporation’s annual report finds music and arts programming fell by a fifth, but the amount of drama, current affairs and religious output rose</p><p>The amount of comedy on BBC1 fell by a quarter last year, while music and arts programming fell by a fifth.</p><p>The number of entertainment shows also fell, but the amount of drama, current affairs and religious output rose.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jul/14/bbc1-comedy-annual-report-music-arts-drama">Continue reading...</a>BBCBBC1Television industryRadio industryMediaComedyDramaTelevisionTelevision & radioCultureUK newsTue, 14 Jul 2015 16:37:23 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jul/14/bbc1-comedy-annual-report-music-arts-dramaPhotograph: Jack Barnes/BBC/HattrickBBC1’s current comedy shows include Boomers, featuring June Whitfield, Russ Abbot, Stephanie Beacham, Paula Wilcox, James Smith, Alison Steadman and Philip Jackson.Photograph: Jack Barnes/BBC/HattrickBBC1’s current comedy shows include Boomers, featuring June Whitfield, Russ Abbot, Stephanie Beacham, Paula Wilcox, James Smith, Alison Steadman and Philip Jackson.Press Association2015-07-14T16:37:23ZCould dark dating-show satire UnREAL kill reality TV?http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2015/jul/14/could-dark-dating-show-satire-unreal-kill-reality-tv
<p>This deliciously cutting behind-the-scenes parody depicts a world where racism, misogyny and utter callousness are the route to good ratings – and makes it difficult to watch the real thing again</p><p>When you write about television for a living, people tend to ask two things: what you’re watching, and what you recommend them to watch. Lately, the answer to both has been UnREAL, a shockingly good US comedy-drama set behind the scenes of a fictional <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/mar/11/abc-why-the-bachelor-destroy-juan-pablo-galavis">bachelor-style reality dating show</a>. It follows the producers as they manipulate contestants into increasingly bleak situations, all for the sake of decent TV. It makes some blunt accusations about the format it satirises: the world it depicts is racist, misogynistic and utterly callous, and treats women as disposable dolls to be bent and posed for the sake of the viewing public. It’s deliciously cutting.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/tvandradioblog/2015/jun/19/lifetime-a-deadly-adoption-tv-movies">With A Deadly Adoption, has Lifetime finally become self-aware?</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/aug/23/lifetime-saved-by-the-bell-movie-dustin-diamond">Lifetime's unauthorised Saved by the Bell movie: what we know so far</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2015/jul/14/could-dark-dating-show-satire-unreal-kill-reality-tv">Continue reading...</a>US televisionDramaReality TVTelevisionTelevision & radioCultureComedyComedyTue, 14 Jul 2015 14:56:33 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2015/jul/14/could-dark-dating-show-satire-unreal-kill-reality-tvPhotograph: LifetimeTrue love, UnREAL style.Photograph: LifetimeTrue love, UnREAL style.Photograph: PRKeeping it unreal … Shiri Appleby and Constance Zimmer in UnReal.Photograph: PRKeeping it unreal … Shiri Appleby and Constance Zimmer in UnReal.Rebecca Nicholson2015-07-14T14:56:33ZYonderland: welcome return of the daftest elves on TVhttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2015/jul/13/yonderland-welcome-return-of-the-daftest-elves-on-tv
<p>The second series of the fantasy comedy series brings more well-crafted silliness to its sketches about rubbish wizards and magic squabbles</p><p>If you missed the first series of Yonderland, Sky 1’s brilliantly silly comic adventure set in a mythical world of obstinate elves and rubbish wizards, please make an appointment to watch series two, which begins tonight at 8pm. There isn’t another comedy around at the moment to touch it.<br /></p><p>It is written by, and stars the cast of, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2011/mar/17/horrible-histories-huge-hit">Horrible Histories</a>, the ostensibly child-skewed sketch show that became a breakout hit for the BBC, winning grown-up awards thanks to its Python-inspired irreverence and refusal to patronise its young audience.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/jul/13/nick-the-stick-favourite-tv">Nick The Stick’s favourite TV</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2015/jul/13/yonderland-welcome-return-of-the-daftest-elves-on-tv">Continue reading...</a>ComedyTelevisionSky1Television & radioCultureMon, 13 Jul 2015 16:07:44 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2015/jul/13/yonderland-welcome-return-of-the-daftest-elves-on-tvPhotograph: Sky1Yonderland villagers, left to right, Ben Willbond, Laurence Rickard and Mathew Baynton.Photograph: Sky1Yonderland villagers, left to right, Ben Willbond, Laurence Rickard and Mathew Baynton.Photograph: Sky1Debbie and Yonderland companion Elf (Matthew Baynton).Photograph: Sky1Debbie and Yonderland companion Elf (Matthew Baynton).Photograph: Sky1Richard Syms as Old Man with Mackenzie Crook as Mysterious Old Man.Photograph: Sky1Richard Syms as Old Man with Mackenzie Crook as Mysterious Old Man.Photograph: Sky1Debbie (Martha Howe-Douglas) the chosen one, with two Yonderland citizens.Photograph: Sky1Debbie (Martha Howe-Douglas) the chosen one, with two Yonderland citizens.Julia Raeside2015-07-13T16:07:44ZWhen the laughter stops: how sitcom stars have fared in Hollywoodhttp://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2015/jul/13/when-the-laughter-stops-how-sitcom-stars-have-fared-in-hollywood
<p>For every Chris Pratt, Woody Harrelson and Amy Poehler, there is a Sofia Vergara or Jennifer Aniston. We look at the former small-screen stars who made the biggest splash in Hollywood</p><p>Amy Poehler is one of the most popular sitcom stars of recent years, thanks to her role in <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/parks-and-recreation">Parks and Recreation</a> and <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/video/2015/jan/12/golden-globes-2015-tina-fey-amy-poehler-bill-cosby-george-clooney-video">awards-show turns with Tina Fey</a>. She has seamlessly made the transition from TV to the big screen via Pixar’s latest hit, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/inside-out">Inside Out</a>. But such a path has proven hazardous in the past. Many TV comedy stars have briefly popped up on the big screen, only to retreat back to their comfort zone; some have become something of a joke, and others have been let down by the different demands of Hollywood. Few have gone on to enjoy a prolonged career making movies – fewer still making good movies. But who has managed to pull it off? We sort 25 sitcom stars into the ones whose careers went big, and those who stayed small.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/jul/28/ted-seth-macfarlane-mila-kunis">Ted stars Mila Kunis and Seth MacFarlane v the Guardian</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/oct/02/aubrey-plaza-life-after-beth-interview">Aubrey Plaza: from 'sarcastic, eye-rolling weirdo’ to lustful zombie</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2015/jul/13/when-the-laughter-stops-how-sitcom-stars-have-fared-in-hollywood">Continue reading...</a>ComedyCultureFilmChris PrattWill SmithMartin FreemanAmy PoehlerDanny DeVitoMila KunisWoody HarrelsonSteve CarellHelen HuntMichael CeraJennifer AnistonJason SegelJohn CleeseTina FeySeth MacFarlaneJason BatemanAubrey PlazaJulia Louis-DreyfusRicky GervaisNeil Patrick HarrisTelevisionTelevision & radioComedyParks and RecreationInside OutGuardians of the GalaxyJurassic WorldSuicide SquadThe Hobbit: An Unexpected JourneyFilm adaptationsJRR TolkienFamily GuyTedFoxcatcherScott Pilgrim Vs the WorldArrested DevelopmentFriendsThe MuppetsTed 2Horrible Bosses 2The Lego MovieSeinfeldVeepGolden GlobesAnimationAwards and prizesBooksComedyUS televisionMon, 13 Jul 2015 11:49:40 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2015/jul/13/when-the-laughter-stops-how-sitcom-stars-have-fared-in-hollywoodPhotograph: NBCUPhotobank/Rex FeaturesThe cast of Judd Apatow’s TV comedy Freaks and Geeks, including (back row) Seth Rogen, Jason Segel and James Franco.Photograph: NBCUPhotobank/Rex FeaturesThe cast of Judd Apatow’s TV comedy Freaks and Geeks, including (back row) Seth Rogen, Jason Segel and James Franco.Photograph: BBC/NBCThe cast of Parks and Recreation, including now movie stars Amy Poehler (centre), Aubrey Plaza (second from right) and Chris Pratt (right).Photograph: BBC/NBCThe cast of Parks and Recreation, including now movie stars Amy Poehler (centre), Aubrey Plaza (second from right) and Chris Pratt (right).Stephen Puddicombe2015-07-13T11:49:40ZDavid Letterman skewers Trump with top 10 list in break from retirementhttp://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/12/david-letterman-donald-trump-top-ten-list
<p>Ex-Late Show host, appearing onstage in Texas, says missing the chance to parody mogul’s presidential run was ‘the biggest mistake of my life’</p><p>David Letterman came out of retirement this weekend to deliver a brand-new top 10 list inspired by the surging presidential candidacy of Donald Trump.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/12/im-like-a-really-smart-person-donald-trump-exults-in-outsider-status">'I'm, like, a really smart person': Donald Trump exults in outsider status</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/12/donald-trump-immigration-demagogue-wrecking-ball-lindsey-graham">Donald Trump: Republicans grapple with impact of 'wrecking ball' candidate</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/12/david-letterman-donald-trump-top-ten-list">Continue reading...</a>Donald TrumpDavid LettermanTelevisionTelevision & radioUS newsComedyComedyCultureMediaSun, 12 Jul 2015 20:06:34 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/12/david-letterman-donald-trump-top-ten-listPhotograph: CBS Photo Archive/Getty ImagesDavid Letterman hosts his final broadcast of the Late Show.Photograph: CBS Photo Archive/Getty ImagesDavid Letterman hosts his final broadcast of the Late Show.Guardian staff and agencies2015-07-12T20:06:34Z7 Days in Hell: HBO's tennis mockumentary is a grand slamhttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/jul/11/7-days-in-hell-hbo-andy-samberg-kit-harrington
<p>Andy Samberg and Kit Harrington serve up a sports comedy detailing the longest match in history, and it’s as packed with stars as it is with laughs</p><p><strong>What’s the name of the show?</strong> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3895884/">7 Days in Hell</a></p><p><strong>When does it premiere?</strong> Saturday 11 July at 10pm EST on HBO. <br /></p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2015/jul/10/7-days-in-hell-kit-harington-and-andy-samberg-slug-it-out-in-wimbledon-spoof">7 Days in Hell – Kit Harington and Andy Samberg slug it out in Wimbledon spoof</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/jul/11/7-days-in-hell-hbo-andy-samberg-kit-harrington">Continue reading...</a>US televisionTelevisionHBOTelevision & radioComedyComedyJon HammKit HaringtonMediaCultureSat, 11 Jul 2015 13:30:25 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/jul/11/7-days-in-hell-hbo-andy-samberg-kit-harringtonPhotograph: HBONew balls please ... Kit Harington and Andy Samberg in 7 Days in Hell.Photograph: HBONew balls please ... Kit Harington and Andy Samberg in 7 Days in Hell.Brian Moylan2015-07-11T13:30:25Z